We stopped and I turned toward the voice. Mike asked, “Are you talking to me, son?”
“Yes sir,” said the young boy. “I need help reading this book. I don't read so well.”
Mike sat down on the bench next to the boy and I sat between Mike's legs. He asked the boy for the book. “Why son,” Mike said, “this is the Bible.” I could hear Mike thumb through the pages. “And it looks like this version is a very old version and has not been updated to make it easier to read and understand.” Mike continued, “This book would be hard for many people without reading challenges to understand, son. So don't be too hard on yourself because you have trouble reading it.”
The boy sounded relieved, but he was still tense when he answered Mike. “But I still have to read it”, the boy said softly. “My teacher tells me that I have to read a lot more and this is the only book I own.”
This was becoming very interesting. Here was a young boy and it was apparent that he had some difficulties. Mike asked him where he lived and what school he went to.
Mike's questions just opened the floodgates for this young boy to talk. Randy was his name and his parents had hurt him a long time ago. Then he went to several temporary homes, but they were always too poor to buy him anything. He had missed a lot of school since he was bounced among so many homes. He said he was 10 or 12 years of age. He was not sure, never had a birthday, he said. I really felt sad for this young boy. He indeed had a rough life and had so little. I wished there were something I could do for him. Maybe Mike would know how we could help him.
“Do you mind if I pet your dog, Mister?” Randy asked.
“My name is Mike, Randy, and my dog's name is Rivers,” Mike answered. “Yes, son, you may pet him.”
As Randy petted me, Mike told Randy all about me.
“Mister Mike, you mean Rivers is blind but still ran the big race to Nome? How could he do that?” Randy asked.
“It takes courage to do that, and that courage comes from within you,” Mike answered. “If you believe in yourself, you will accomplish amazing things.” Mike continued. “You can overcome all kinds of challenges as long as you want to succeed.”
I guess we sat there for the better part of the afternoon. Randy did a lot of talking. What he said made me more thankful for the many things I have. It also made me more appreciative of the simple things like a warm bed, good friends, and hot chow.
Now I was thinking of what I could do for this young boy, when Mike said, “Randy, it is getting late. Would you mind if Rivers and I walk you home? We can talk some more on the way.”
While Mike and I lived in the country, we do have neighbors around us, and it turned out that Randy lived down the trail from us.
When we got to Randy's home, I heard Mike talking with Randy's foster parents. They agreed that Randy could visit us at our home. That would be just great. Mike gave Randy directions to our home.
The next day, we were in the yard when Randy came by. I had told the team about Randy, so Christmas, Lakota, and the rest of the team made a big fuss over him. He was giggling and laughing as we jumped all over him.
Mike was with us in the yard. He was sitting on a bench, and I could hear him laughing as Randy played with the team. Even Sandy was in the yard making a big fuss over this young boy. Mike said, “Hi Randy, how you doing? Come over here, I have something for you”. Lakota told me that Mike had a book in his hand.
When Randy sat next to Mike, Mike gave him the book, Lakota told me.
“Wow, my own Bible!” Randy said very excitedly. As he turned the pages, he started to read the words out of it. Mike helped him with the words that he stumbled over. He asked Mike many questions about what he read. Mike answered each of them. Lakota told me that the entire team, and even Sandy and Christmas were sitting around Mike and Randy listening to them talk.
“You know what, Mister Mike?” Randy said. “I think I want to be a writer.”
“Why?” Mike asked.
“So that I can write books for kids that have a hard time reading like I do. What do you think, Mister Mike? Do you think I can do it?”
“Yep,” Mike said, “And I bet you would be great at it too. Just remember that as long as you believe in yourself and want to succeed, you will accomplish amazing things in your life.”
I heard Mike stand up and say, “Okay team. Trail time.” As we started to scamper around the yard, Randy asked Mike what was trail time. We all stopped playing around when we heard Randy ask this question. He did not know what trail time was! Lakota told me that Ugly and Brownie went over to Randy and nuzzled his hand. I guess we were feeling bad. If Randy did not know what trail time meant, then he never had experienced the fun of sledding on the trails.
“Randy,” it was Mike. “Trail time is the way I tell the team that we are taking the sled out for a run on the trails.”
“Oh,” Randy said sadly. “I guess it is time for me to go then.” Hold on here, I thought. Why does Randy have to go? I think Mike must have read my mind because he asked Randy why he thought he had to go.
“Well Mister Mike,” Randy said, “I don't have any winter clothing or boots to do that. I figured you would want to be alone with your dogs and didn't want me around.”
“I think you thought wrong, my friend,” Mike gently said to Randy. “Come with me.” Lakota told me that they headed for the warming shed where Mike keeps our sled and our equipment.
We all followed them. Lakota told me that Mike gave Randy two boxes. “What are these Mister Mike?” Randy asked.
“Well,” Mike answered. “I think they are two boxes that need a young man like you to open and find out what is inside of them.” Now Mike had me wondering. What was in the boxes?
Lakota told me that when Randy opened the big flat box, he gasped. Lakota told me that Randy held up a green and black storm suit, just like the one Mike used when he took us on the trails. Christmas said that one time she curled up in Mike's storm suit when she was a small pup. It was so soft and warm. “Yeah, I remember that.” It was Nitro. “You snored almost as loud as Mike does.”
“Uncle Nitro!” Christmas shrieked. We all chuckled at the way Nitro was teasing Christmas. Yep, our little Christmas was growing up and her Uncles had the gray hair to prove it!
“I wonder what is in the other box,” Doc said. Lakota told me that Randy opened the other box and pulled out a pair of snow boots, socks, gloves, and a musher's cap.
“These boots and socks will keep your toes warm, Randy. They are good to 100 below zero.” Mike said. “Now, how about getting that gear on while I get mine on, and let's harness this team up for a ride!”
“Thank you Mister Mike, I don't know what to say.”
Mike answered, “You said enough son. You are part of our team now, so shake a stick and get dressed.”
I heard paw steps and Lakota told me that Brownie and Ugly ran over to Randy and started to nuzzle him and lick his face. Yes, Randy was now officially part of our team!
When they were dressed, Mike pulled the sled out of the warming shed and Randy had our harnesses. Lakota told me that Mike laid out the gang and tug lines. Next he showed Randy how to harness us up. Lakota told me that Mike let Randy harness up Ugly and Brownie.
Next, it was my turn. “Paw up, Rivers,” Randy said and I lifted my paw so that he could put the harness around it. He learned quickly and was very good. You could tell he was comfortable working with dogs. His voice told me that he enjoyed working with us. “Okay Randy,” Mike said. “We will have Christmas and Nitro as our lead dogs with Doc running in a solo swing position. Brownie and Ugly will be in the team dog position with Rivers and Lakota in the wheel.” Mike continued. “I will explain all the positions to you as we travel down the trail. It will make more sense then.”
Lakota told me that Mike helped Randy into the sled basket and then Mike got on the runners. “Okay Team, Ready!” I heard the snow hook pulled from the snow. “Set!” I leaned into my harness ready to start. “Go!” We w
ere off.
The trail was nice and smooth. Fresh snow on our paws made the running easy. It was a nice run. Christmas and Nitro were having fun leading. Ugly was telling jokes. Lakota was describing the trail to me. Mike was telling Randy about the commands, what each dog position does, and how he steers the sled.
I am not too sure how long or how far we ran. It was a nice gentle pace, more like a restful trot. I heard Mike say, “Team stop” and we did. Then Mike said, “Team sit!” and we sat.
Mike told Randy that it was time to head back because it was getting late. However, before we headed back, Mike said he wanted to change some dogs around. He moved Doc into solo lead and moved Christmas and Nitro into the swing position. I heard Mike whisper something into Doc's ear as he moved the team around. Lakota told me both Mike and Doc were grinning
After we turned in the right direction to go home, Mike told Randy to get out of the sled basket and get on the runners. Lakota told me that Mike then pulled the snow hook and got into the basket.
“Okay Randy, take us home.” Mike said.
“But. But.” Randy said.
“Randy,” Mike said, “believe in yourself, and tell the team to take us home.”
“Okay Team,” Randy said. “Get set. Go”! As we headed back home, I figured out what Mike had whispered in Doc's ear: Take it nice and easy and let us build up Randy's confidence.
For a kid that had never been on a sled before, Randy did pretty darn good. He leaned into the turns just as if he had been doing it forever.
Soon we were home and Randy said, “Team stop.” You could tell he really enjoyed what he was doing and had a new level of confidence. His voice told me that.
Mike showed Randy how to get us out of our harnesses, check our paws for sores, stow the sled and our gear, plus give us fresh water. Mike told Randy that it would be a smart idea for him to leave his mushing gear here in the warming shed, so that he would always have it ready for trail time.
“Mister Mike, thank you,” Randy said.
“My pleasure,” Mike replied.
Randy asked, “Mister Mike, will you show me the rest of the things I have to know to be a good musher?”
“I would love to Randy, but I am not a good musher. I just get by,” Mike said. “But what I will do is get my friends Stan Smith and GB Jones to teach you. Stan and GB ran the big race to Nome twice.” Mike added, “If you are going to learn something, learn it from the best and Stan and GB are among the best.”
“You really think they would help me?” Randy asked.
“If you are willing to learn and do the work, I am sure they would be happy to coach you.” Mike said. “Think about it and let me know.” Mike continued, “Of course we will have to ask your foster parents, but I will do that.”
Okay, Mister Mike, I will think about it and let you know,” Randy said.
“Now you need to do me a favor,” Mike said. “You said you wanted to be a writer, remember? Well, I want you to write a story of what you did today. Can you do that?”
“I think so, Mister Mike,” Randy said.
“Nope,” Mike said. “Not I think so.”
Randy picked up the hint and said. “I can do that and I will have it for you very soon.”
“Those are the words of a true champion,” Mike said. “It is getting late and we better get you home. How about we put Ugly and Brownie on some leashes and they can walk with us?”
As the four of them walked down the drive to the trail that leads to Randy's home, we all gathered in the yard to talk. “Awesome!” It was Christmas. “Randy was a very happy camper today. Sure makes me feel good that we could share the fun of trail running with him.”
Yes, I thought, it is just awesome how much joy a random act of kindness may do.
Christmas’ Aunt Sandy
Now after the puppies came… Oh, I forgot to tell you about the puppies. Christmas had them. Yep, she had three of the most beautiful puppies we had ever seen. Well, that the gang had ever seen. Me, well that is a different story. However, the guys were great at describing them to me. I have a good picture in my mind of what they all look like. Mary named them Tundra and Stormy (they are twins), and Sky. Tundra is the biggest of the three. Tundra is mostly black with some brown markings. Her ears do not flop over. Stormy looks very similar to Tundra, but Stormy's ears do flop over and she is a bit smaller. Both look similar to Nitro, big and powerful. Sky looks like her mother Christmas, and has her mother's piercing light blue eyes.
We do not know who the father is. It is not one of us. Mary decided that Christmas should have at least one litter. So a while back, Mary took Christmas and…. Well the rest is history.
Of course, when we found out, we were very happy for Christmas. However, Sandy was really excited. Sandy never had puppies. She spent the better part of her day taking care of Christmas. Sandy would scold us if we played too hard with Christmas. She actually got Mike to let her stay in the yard at night with us. Now that is very strange for a housedog! Good thing it was springtime. Sandy would have a problem sleeping outside in the winter, when it is very cold. Besides having a thin coat, Sandy is sort of old.
When the puppies arrived, Sandy was right there, taking great care of Christmas. Nitro, who is very good friends with Sandy, said that Sandy acted as if the puppies were her own. Wow, these pups had two moms and six grand uncles. Did I
say that? Grand Uncles! I could feel the gray hair growing each day.
A few days after the pups were born, Mike brought home a wheeled sled or training cart. Lakota said that it looked a little like a regular sled but had wheels on it. Mike told us it was made by his good friend Mike Fisher, who lives in Oregon and builds these sleds for dog mushing on the sand dunes down there. So now we can go sledding when there is no snow. I know that mushers use these things for keeping their teams in shape during the summer months. We do not run hard or fast because of the heat, but we can sure get a good workout with the wheeled sled.
Young Randy was with Mike and he sounded very excited that we could go sledding in the summer. Randy had been reading us his stories about dogs and mushing. We were very impressed. They were very good. Brownie and Ugly kidded us that Randy's best stories are about them. Sure glad you guys were objective!
Anyway, I was getting excited. Okay, come on, let us try this thing out. Mike and Randy headed to the warming shed to get our gear. As Mike set the lines out, Randy harnessed us up. I heard Christmas say she wanted to go.
“No, child,” it was Sandy. “You need to get your rest and take care of your babies.”
Doc added, “Sandy is right, Little One, you need to rest and take care of your pups, so that they will be ready to run with our team soon.”
“You are right, Uncle Doc, I am a little tired,” Christmas answered. “Don't have too much fun without me.” Now was that a play for sympathy or what?
Mike told us that we would head on down the road to Doctor Jim's place, about a half a mile or so, and then head back home.
The wheeled sled was very easy to pull and before we realized it, we were at Doctor Jim's homestead. He and Sunny were out making house calls so Mike checked his house to make sure it was okay. We turned around in a big lot and headed back. We were just entering our driveway when I smelled it. Wolf! “Team. Stop. Down!” were Mike's commands. He wanted us to stop and lie down. “Bam, Bam.” I heard Mike's gun and then heard him jump off the sled and run to the kennel. “Randy, take care of the team,” Mike shouted.
Lakota told me that there was a big wolf in the kennel and Sandy was down. Christmas was in her house with her puppies. Mike was kneeling by Sandy.
I heard Mike talk very softly to her. He called Doctor Jim on the cell phone. After Randy took us off the gang line, we gathered around Sandy. Doc told me that Sandy was in bad shape, with many bite wounds. Nitro said the wolf was dead, but it looked like he had been in one nasty fight.
“Sandy?” Brownie asked.
“Yes, Aunt Sandy.” Christmas was
crying. “That wolf dug a hole near the back corner and crawled in while we were napping,” Christmas said. “Aunt Sandy heard it, and I was ready to fight it but she told me to stay in my doghouse and protect my babies. I watched from the door. It was a real bad fight.” Christmas added, “No matter how nasty the wolf got, Aunt Sandy would not let him near my doghouse. I wanted to come out to help her, but she kept telling me to stay in my doghouse.”
Christmas told us that they were still fighting when Mike shot the wolf.
“What can I do, Mister Mike?” It was Randy.
Mike had a hard time answering. “Let's get her into the warming shed. I do not think she is going to make it.” His voice was trembling when he said, “I don't want her dying here in the dirt. She is my housedog. I want to get her into a shed.”
Lakota told me that Mike gently picked Sandy up and carried her to the warming shed. He placed her on blanket and let her rest on the straw.
“Gang.” It was Sandy. “Are the babies safe?”
Nitro answered, “Yes, the wolf is dead.” He added, “Mike shot it. You did good, Sandy.” You could tell that Nitro was choking back his tears.
I heard Christmas burst into the shed, crying. “Aunt Sandy…”
“Hush child,” Sandy said very lovingly. “It is time for me to go. Please listen very carefully to me. While Mike has a bond with the guys and especially Rivers, you child, will have a special bond with him as I do.” Sandy continued. “As these guys take care of him as their musher, you must take care of Mike as your human. You promise me to do that?” Sandy asked.
“Yes Aunt Sandy, I will take great care of Mike,” Christmas answered, with tears in her voice.
Then Sandy said, “Nitro, we never got to play the tugging game. I wonder who would have won if we did.”
Nitro answered, “You would have. I am no match for a class act like you.” I thought I heard Sandy chuckle.
“Rivers.”
“Yes Sandy,” I answered.
“I am glad you came into Mike's life. You are very good for him. So are the rest of you,” she said weakly to the rest of the team
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